Re: Cycling : Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:42 am  

John_D wrote:

It'd be nice. The big concern when this was first mooted was the state of the roads.

I'd be pretty sure that money would suddenly be found if they got the yes vote.

Looking forward to the weekend and my fave race of the whole year. Can't believe I'm working so will have to sky + it then make sure I don't go online at all on sunday so I can watch it when I get home at 9pm.

I'm really hoping EBH can do it. Had G not been aiming for olympic glory I'd have expected him to be one of Sky's main men after last years performance and have cheered him on all the way.

As it is I'll show my ass to the pope if it's not a boonen , spartacus 1,2.

Re: Cycling : Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:06 pm  

As a Yorkshireman living in Scotland I'd be delighted if the start of the Tdf comes to either location although I'd be happier if it'sup here. The roads are a lot better after all......

I too will be missing the race this Sunday (unless the in laws have Eurosport in Waterford) and am gutted. Happy to be back in time for my favourite race the weekend after.

Winner - Boonen. Can't see past him at the moment.

Re: Cycling : Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:50 pm  

Watched A Sunday In Hell last night. Good viewing for a cycling fan ahead of Paris-Roubaix if you've not seen it before.

Re: Cycling : Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:23 am  

Wow - how good is Tom Boonen this year? After a few disappointing years he is back with a big old bang. I backed him last year to come back and when he didn't I'd pretty much given up on him but.......wow!

He's out of my team for Amstel Gold this weekend but I wonder if I will come to regret this.

As for everyone else.

Well BMC need to thank Ballan for saving their blushes but at least have a chance with the Ardennes classics to see if they have paid over the odds for Gilbert (as well as Hushovd).

Sky are showing that when plan A doesn't work they don't have a plan B.

[John_D]

Re: Cycling : Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:46 pm  

Tony Martin got Hoogerlanded

Tony Martin got Hoogerlanded

Re: Cycling : Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:53 pm  

Hit a car with his bike?

Bloody stupid thing to do.

Re: Cycling : Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:16 pm  

John_D wrote: Tony Martin got Hoogerlanded Or Flecha'd, strictly speaking

John_D wrote: Tony Martin got Hoogerlanded Or Flecha'd, strictly speaking

[John_D]

Re: Cycling : Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:03 am  

GCM1980 wrote:

Or Flecha'd, strictly speaking

Semantics, schemantics...

Re: Cycling : Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:17 am  

Haggis Fax wrote: Wow - how good is Tom Boonen this year? After a few disappointing years he is back with a big old bang. I backed him last year to come back and when he didn't I'd pretty much given up on him but.......wow! He's out of my team for Amstel Gold this weekend but I wonder if I will come to regret this. As for everyone else. Well BMC need to thank Ballan for saving their blushes but at least have a chance with the Ardennes classics to see if they have paid over the odds for Gilbert (as well as Hushovd). Sky are showing that when plan A doesn't work they don't have a plan B. To be fair to Sky they had 4 riders in the break, you could argue that they should have rode it slightly differently. However no one else was going to help chase Boonen down with them being so strong in the chasing group. The main problem they had was that EBH was goosed. Flecha actually looked strong, but he has no kick to win a sprint. Next year will be different if Spartacus is fit and also they (sky) have a fully ready G man. You will see a very different race. G man will win a classic sooner rather than later IMO. As for BMC your right Ballan has spared them. However they now have chuckles to bring them back some glory and I'm pretty sure that Gilbert has been saving himself for the Ardenne classics and an eye on winning a few early stages of the TDF which are prime for him and his abilities. John_D wrote: Tony Martin got Hoogerlanded I wonder if this could have a knock on affect with on bike confidence? I'm pretty sure it won't , but you don't know and this could be a big bonus for Wiggo in both TDF and the olympics.

Haggis Fax wrote: Wow - how good is Tom Boonen this year? After a few disappointing years he is back with a big old bang. I backed him last year to come back and when he didn't I'd pretty much given up on him but.......wow! He's out of my team for Amstel Gold this weekend but I wonder if I will come to regret this. As for everyone else. Well BMC need to thank Ballan for saving their blushes but at least have a chance with the Ardennes classics to see if they have paid over the odds for Gilbert (as well as Hushovd). Sky are showing that when plan A doesn't work they don't have a plan B. To be fair to Sky they had 4 riders in the break, you could argue that they should have rode it slightly differently. However no one else was going to help chase Boonen down with them being so strong in the chasing group. The main problem they had was that EBH was goosed. Flecha actually looked strong, but he has no kick to win a sprint. Next year will be different if Spartacus is fit and also they (sky) have a fully ready G man. You will see a very different race. G man will win a classic sooner rather than later IMO. As for BMC your right Ballan has spared them. However they now have chuckles to bring them back some glory and I'm pretty sure that Gilbert has been saving himself for the Ardenne classics and an eye on winning a few early stages of the TDF which are prime for him and his abilities. John_D wrote: Tony Martin got Hoogerlanded I wonder if this could have a knock on affect with on bike confidence? I'm pretty sure it won't , but you don't know and this could be a big bonus for Wiggo in both TDF and the olympics.

[John_D]

Re: Cycling : Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:48 am  

Fungus The Muffin Man wrote:

I wonder if this could have a knock on affect with on bike confidence? I'm pretty sure it won't , but you don't know and this could be a big bonus for Wiggo in both TDF and the olympics.

I doubt it - he seems a pretty determined type of chap, to say the least. It is a setback in his preparations for the big races in the summer though.